NE, Delhi aim to avoid wooden spoon

GUWAHATI:THE ISL match between Northeast United and Delhi Dynamos on Wednesday may be of academic interest only as both teams have dropped out of the race for a top-four. But, both sides would look to salvage some pride with a win and avoid a last-place finish. Currently ninth and 10th respectively, Northeast United and Delhi Dynamos have enjoyed good form in patches but the results have not always gone their way. Talking about the mood in the Northeast dressing room, assistant coach, Eelco Schatorrie said that “qualification or not”, his squad is very positive, and like all professional sportspersons, will give more than 100 %. “The players are positive, and everybody will give their best, there is no doubt about that. When you are not fighting for anything the motivation dips, but as a group everybody is here to learn and we are learning with every game,” said Eelco.

Northeast United brought in Avram Grant to lead the team in January. But, even a change in the coaching staff couldn’t arrest Northeast’s slide . Commenting on his team’s performance, Schatorrie talked about the need to have quality players in the side.

“We have played all the teams and I can say we haven’t been completely outplayed by any of them. The difference has been in the quality of individuals players every team has. We have had our chances but we failed to take them,” he added.

Delhi Dynamos, after their fine start beating Pune City in their first game, only saw campaign nosedive with every outing. The Dynamos too had their fair share of upsets when they beat table toppers Bengaluru and held Chennaiyin 1-1 in their last game but coach Miguel Angel Portugal knows it is too little too late.

“Our motivation now is to avoid the last spot. Northeast United are also in a similar position. We would want a win in this one,” he said. Portugal also revealed that he’ll be missing some of his key players for Wednesday’s game. “Yes, Nanda, Edu Moya, Albino, Romeo, Lumu haven’t recovered from the last game,” he said.